Keeper Ryan Cooper was the unexpected goal scoring hero for Blue Star in an action packed cup thriller against Huncoat.

The two teams, both runaway leaders in their respective leagues, served up a feast of football that went all the way to the wire.

So much so, that it took a dramatic penalty shoot-out to separate the cream of the crop -- and it was Cooper's decisive spot kick that won the day.

Huncoat will probably be wondering how they let victory slip through their grasp as they missed out on the chance of an incredible fourth consecutive 'double'.

The Blue League leaders raced to a two goal lead then saw their arch rivals reduced to 10 men when Liam Reed was sent off soon after the break.

Huncoat hitman Danny King was the player at the centre of attention.

The striker scored twice, hit the crossbar and missed a penalty as Huncoat threatened to run riot.

King opened the scoring after 10 minutes then missed from the spot before doubling Huncoat's lead early in the second half.

Leading 2-0 with a man advantage, Huncoat appeared to be in control.

But Blue Star were thrown a lifeline when Adam Moorcroft scored with a spectacular swivel volley from the edge of the area after good work from Ben Langford.

Defender Drew Cardoo and midfield man Jack Entwistle kept a tiring Blue Star team together as Huncoat tried to press home their man advantage.

And deep in to injury time, Blue Star struck to level the tie when John Leemingpoked home from close range after keeper Thomas Riley could only parry an Entwistle's free kick.

Blue Star then went ahead for the first time in the tie when Leeming grabbed his second of the game in the first period of extra time.

But the pulsating clash was level again when Anthony Spencer volleyed home to equalise to bring on the dreaded penalties.

Ian Potiatynyk missed Huncoat's first spot kick while Spencer, King, Graeme Sneddon and Levi Hickey all found the net. But Blue Star were deadly from the spot with Moorcroft, Leeming, Entwistle and Ross Hawthornthwaite all scoring to leave Cooper with the task of firing Blue Star in the semi finals.

HUNCOAT: Thomas Riley, Danny Carter, Martin Stevenson, Graeme Sneddon, Ross Entwistle, Anthony Spencer, Ian Potiatynyk, Martin Parkes, Jacob Feilding, Danny King, Levi Hickey. Subs: Ian Lord, Jonathan Green, Shaun Corcoran.

BLUE STAR: Ryan Cooper, Anthony Nixon, Liam Read, Drew Cardoo, Robert Johnson, Ben Langford, Rick Smith, Ross Hawthornthwaite, Jack Entwistle, Adam Moorcroft, John Leeming

Huncoat United...3

Blue Star...3(aet)

Blue Star won 5-4 on pens